Spring Break

Just thought I would pop in and say enjoy the beautiful weather.  Spring in Canberra is absolutely lovely especially when you visit the local flower festivals such as Floriade and Tulip Top Gardens.

We're all heading to Melbourne tomorrow for the week to enjoy the first week of school holidays with family and friends, as well as introducing Jessica to many members of our family.

Enjoy the week and see you when I return :o) - In the meantime, maybe these photos from today might inspire some creativity ......  I'm already imagining my scrap pages!

A Baby Shower

Today I went to a friend's baby shower she was hosting for her daughter.  And a yummy baby shower at that, it was a high tea!  I'm trying hard not to think about the fact that my young bridesmaid (not so long ago....) is now expecting her first baby!  And there I was attending a baby shower with my third baby in tow!

Anyway, after a crazily hectic week, I left the making of a Baby Shower card to the very last minute.  Literally!  I worked on it till 10.30pm last night and finished it this morning when I stamped the sentiment.

This card uses a couple of techniques but quick ones (LOL!!).  I have to love distressing and using the Stampin' Wheels.  Makes a card into something special real quick.

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Baby Tees (Stampin' Wheel) and Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Inks: Basic Black &  Night of Navy
Papers: Whisper White, Pale Plum (retired) and Certainly Celery
Other: Watercolour pencils, Stampin' Dimensionals, White Satin Ribbon, Big Shot & Polka Dots Embossing Folder

I have to admit, I had a lot of fun shopping for baby things this morning :0)

My First ATC

Now I'm not sure if I should be showing this just yet, but I have made my very first ATC (Artist Trading Card).  According to Wikipedia (up to you how reliable you think Wiki is!!), "Artist Trading Cards (or ATCs) are miniature works of art about the same size as modern baseball cards, or 2 ½ X 3 ½ inches (63 mm X 89 mm), small enough to fit inside standard card-collector pockets, sleeves or sheets. The ATC movement developed out of the mail art movement and has its origins in Switzerland.  Cards are produced in various media, including dry media (pencils, pens, markers, etc.), wet media (watercolor, acrylic paints, etc.), paper media (in the form of collage, papercuts, found objects, etc.) or even metals or cloth. The cards are usually traded or exchanged rather than sold."

Anyways, I have joined an online stamping group (Stamp Happy) which host regular challenges and swaps.  I decided to stop being a lurker and participate.  We were required to create with a Dress Form Tag.  Hmmm, I could do so much with that.  Make a pretty dress or something, but I decided to make it a bit more arty and go outside my normal creative boundaries.  I think I'm happy with them!

I had to make a few of them, so they all have subtle differences, but you get the idea I hope.  I even tried a few techniques while I was playing around.  The skirts are made from coffee filters.  They have been folded to form pleats.  The pearls are styled to give the idea of a sash (think beauty queen style sash!).  Anyway, I think that's as far as I can go with these. Maybe I'll join another swap.  Good to challenge ourselves every now and again!

Of course I used some Stampin' Up! products, but I used a few extras too!  Here's the list:

Stamps: Priceless
Inks: Basic Grey, Groovy Guava, Blush Blossom & Riding Hood Red
Papers: Very Vanilla & Whisper White CS
Other:  Pearls, Crystal Effects & hole punch
Non-SU: Flowers, Coffee Filters, Glimmer Mist and Kindy Glitz

Totally Tools Birthday

It's my husband's birthday today, and boy would there be comments if I didn't make him a card!  Especially as I make cards for almost everyone else!

I find making cards for men (and even boys sometimes) particularly challenging as all the embellishments and colours I like to use are SO NOT for men!  But I think I found a compromise by using Baja Breeze and Creamy Caramel.  With some male-themed stamps and a couple of brads, voila, I made the card and quickly too!  Which was lucky as I left it until last night to make it at the very last minute!

I used the 'thump and bump' technique for the almost-woodgrain look on the Creamy Caramel CS and pencils to colour in the tools.  My humble grey-lead pencil & watercolour pencils for the rest!  Do you like my brads that look like screws?  My husband thought they were real (LOL) but no, they were a great find at the local craft shop!

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Totally Tools & Occasional Quotes
Papers: Whisper White, Baja Breeze & Creamy Caramel CS and Baja Breeze DSP (retired)
Inks: Creamy Caramel, Basic Grey & Baja Breeze
Other: Large Oval Punch, Silver brads & Stampin' Dimensionals

Now I better grab the kids and make birthday cake!

An Oldie but a Goodie

Shock Horror!!  I was cleaning out my craft drawers and found this lovely set of cards that I had made ages ago.  So long ago I can't even remember what the Designer Series Papers (DSP) were called!!  However, as these cards use the lovely Baroque Motifs stamp set, I decided to share these anyway, just to give inspiration and ideas for some lovely and elegant cards!!

The last card uses a technique (and I can't remember the name) where it was first stamped with Old Olive ink and then stamped just a tiny bit to the side in River Rock to create a shadowy effect (although maybe I didn't do it quite right it looks blurry to me!!).  It was so long ago!


Stamps: Baroque Motifs & Occasional Greetings
Inks: Old Olive, River Rock, Chocolate Chip & Rose Red
Papers: DSP, Whisper White CS & Chocolate Chip CS
Other: Scallop Circle Punch, Scallop Border Punch, Hodge Podge Hardware, Brads & Taffeta Ribbon (assorted colours)

Even More Thank You cards!

Yep, that's right.  I'm still making more thank you cards for all the lovely people (family and friends) that have sent us gifts for the arrival of little Jessica (who unbelievably is already 3 months old!).  And I needed to make a batch that were airmail friendly!  Yep, we've received gifts from all the way in the UK, Holland, Germany and Belgium.  How blessed are we!

So sharing these thank you cards makes up for a doozy of a day when Matthew decided to draw all over our carpets with brown texta.  That's right, brown texta on our carpets which are barely a year old!!  Aarrgghh!!

Okay, I'll focus back on the cards (I'm still cross about the carpets!!).  I needed a design that would be relatively flat for posting, that is, simple embellishments.  And I had a lovely piece of bakers twine that I wanted to use as well.  Here's what I mean:

 

I couldn't decide if I like the baker's twine wrapped once or twice, but I'm now thinking twice!!  These cards were a lovely way to use up scraps too, for the scalloped edge!  Cool!

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Friends Never Fade & Occasional Quotes
Inks: Poppy Parade, Pear Pizzazz & Basic Grey
Papers: Whisper White, Sahara Sand, Concord Crush, Peach Parfait & Chocolate Chip
Other: Scallop Trim Border Punch, Big Shot & Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder and Baker's Twine

Did you notice all the NEW products I have used??  The colours, the papers, the stamps and the embossing folder.  Cool!! The Baker's Twine is from my stash but I just had to use it!!

Fox & Friends

Fox & Friends is such a cute stamp set and I'm so glad that it's in the new SU Idea Book & Catalogue.  It's perfect for babies, birthdays, scrapbooking and more!  This time I've used this cute as stamp set for a Baby/Christening card.  Using the Idea Book & Catalogue as a guide, I chose Soft Sky & Creamy Caramel as my colour combination and stamped away to my heart's content!!

Although I giggle at the little monkey hanging off the letter "L", I also giggle at the memory of our Friday Craft & Chat night where I made this.  Somtimes we chat more than craft, but boy we have a heap of fun!!

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Fox & Friends
Inks: Creamy Caramel & Soft Sky
Papers: Whisper White, Soft Sky & Creamy Caramel CS
Other: Stampin' Dimensionals, Scallop Border Punch & Big Shot

It's Concord Crush

Stampin' Up! have released a beautiful bunch of  'In Colours' again.  I've been quite taken with the new purple colour, although it should be noted that the proper colour name is Concord Crush.  Don't you just love names of products??  Although to be honest, the name Concord makes me think of a jet plane!

Anyway, I've been playing with purple @ Concord Crush and my ** NEW ** and now no longer shiny Artistic Etchings stamp set.  I've had my eye on it for absolutely ages and am now in rubber stamp heaven!!

I was inspired by a card I saw this morning and decided that I might try something similar with my own twist of course.  I even tried it in two colour ways.  This first card uses Concord Crush as the main colour with the sentiment/greeting stamped with Whisper White craft ink and then embossed with White Embossing powder:

I also used my new SU embossing folder - Vintage Wallpaper.  I love it!!

My second card uses pretty much the same technique although I've added some ribbon and used Crystal Effects on the crown which has completely changed the look (in MHO (my humble opinion) anyway) and added a bit of dimension to it.  Love Crystal Effects :o)

I think I like the second card best.  Maybe it's the ribbon or the white as a better contrast, who knows!  But they will be both going in the post very soon.  Birthdays, birthdays!

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Artistic Etchings and Short & Sweet
Inks: Whisper White & Concord Crush
Papers: Whisper White & Concord Crush CS
Other: White Taffeta ribbon, Crystal Effects, Stampin' Dimensionals & Pearls
Big Shot: Vintage Wallpaper SU Embossing Folder

And to see the card that I was so inspired by, click here to visit DOstamping

More Owls

I just had to share my third owl I have made for my nieces.  This one is yellow and joins the other two!  I have so enjoyed making these owls, that I have already cut pieces to make some more!!  A blue one next!

Here they are:

Oh they are such a hoot!

Sweet Treats

I love days when you check your mail box and instead of the usual bills, you find a lovely envelope with a beautiful card inside.  Such was my day yesterday when I received this gorgeous card from my lovely friend Kate (gosh, I wish you live closer again - but we'll be visiting you real soon!).  I love absolutely everything about this card, the layers, the colouring, the vase made with the circle punch.  Just gorgeous!

And to top this gorgeous card, the flowers have been highlighted with Crystal Effects!  Love it!

So I borrowed the idea of the circle vase and combined it with the lollipop idea from Sarah Kale and made my own sweet card.  It's cute and perfect for a little girl I have in mind.  Actually three little girls, this card will be on its way to visit my three beautiful nieces!!

Do you recognise any of the new & lovely products from the **new** SU Idea Book & Catalogue???

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Trendy Trees & Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Inks: Whisper White & Basic Grey
Papers: Pretty in Pink, Blushing Bride, Almost Amethyst (retired), Crumb Cake & Soft Suede CS
Other: 1 3/4" Circle, Photo Corners & Scallop Trim Border Punch, crochet thread, pink ribbon, white embossing powder & heat tool, pearls & toothpicks.

I hope you enjoyed!!  I had lots of fun making these little cuties!

September Calendar Month

In my house, September is all about the men!!  With Father's Day and birthdays, all thoughts are turned to creating gifts and cards for men.  And boy, that can be a challenge sometimes.  So to honour the 'manly' month, my September 2010 page has a definite masculine theme happening!

I've also been playing with Photoshop Elements software too, so my image is not so 'dark' as it usually is!

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Ink: Baja Breeze & Basic Grey
Papers: Real Red, Basic Black, Baja Breeze & Whisper White & Patterned Prints DSP (retired)
Other: Black Brads & Word Window Punch

Enjoy!

Father's Day

It's Father's Day!  And what a Father's Day it was for my WH now that we have three kids to spoil him.  Well kind of, as they're a bit young.  Although Luke at 7 got right into the swing of things with the cards and presents he made as well as preparing a hand written breakfast menu for my WH to choose from!  At 2 1/2 Matthew was a bit young but was able to open the presents he was supposed to be giving :0).  And Jessica, well she slept through the chaos of Father's Day breakfast and presents!!

As for my own wonderful dad, I was missing him heaps today.  My family all live in Melbourne and it's always a stark reminder on special occasions that they don't just live around the corner, but it was so lovely to chat to my dad.  I did send him a card though and gift!

Here's a hint of the card I made for my dad .... it's one of the designs of the September Stamp Class @ Home that I've updated.  To see what's on offer, click here!

And my thought for the day:

Any man can be a father, but it takes a special man to be a dad.

 Happy Father's Day to my wonderful dad & husband!

This pair are a hoot!!

Just had to show my latest owl to add to my collection (well collection of gifts to give my nieces)!!  This time it's a cute pink owl to join my purple one!!

I love making these owls.  They are a perfect project for when you have a spare moment or two between looking after kids, house, home and babies!  Although threading a needle late at night is a bit tricky!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy my owls.  I think they are a hoot!!

Click here to go back to my original blog post if you want to make these cuties!

Challenge Inspiration - PPA58-Pretty in Pearls

Yesterday I showed a birthday card I had made with Baja Breeze and Soft Suede colours.  Just gorgeous.  So while I had these colours lying on my **messy** craft table I decided to make another card!!  So of course using the same ideas and techniques, I made this (the card on the left):

And this time on the right:

I decided this card would meet the criteria for the latest Pals Paper Arts Challenge to create a clean and simple card using pearls!  The challenge was inspired by a classic photo of Audrey Hepburn (she's just so elegant)!  And that my friends, is my challenge inspiration this week!  PPA58-Pretty in Pearls!

And I think the that by only using 3 pearls, I have captured the simplicity but elegance of Audrey Hepburn.  Classic!

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Great Friend, Happy Harmony (retired) and Sincere Salutations
Inks: Soft Suede & Baja Breeze, Whisper White Craft Ink
Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Soft Suede, Baja Breeze & Very Vanilla
Other: Large Oval Punch, Jewels - Basic Pearls & Sponge Daubers
Big Shot: Petals-a-Plenty Embossing Folder

Soft Suede meets Baja Breeze

I'm a paper collector and I admit it.  Bit of a shame really when I think of all my lovely unused things.  So this week I made the effort to use some new cardstock I have and never used!  So it was Soft Suede that I picked this time around.  I have always been a BIG fan of Chocolate Chip but I truly think I can be brought to the "other" side with Soft Suede.  Actually, I have been using the ink for a little while now but hadn't used the cardstock!!

Now that I'm rambling but hopefully have your attention!  I saw some gorgeous cards designed by Andrea Walford using stamps that I didn't have!  So I decided to use these cards as my inspiration and created my own.

Here's my first attempt:

Not bad I thought, but definitely needed something!!  As it is a Birthday Card, I decided to add this:

Now that's much better don't you think.  It's quite amazing how much you can step up a card just with a little something extra, and in this case ... just an elegant greeting/sentiment.  Now I'm happy!

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Great Friend, Asian Artistry (now retired) and Sincere Salutations
Inks: Soft Suede & Baja Breeze, Whisper White Craft Ink
Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Soft Suede, Baja Breeze & Very Vanilla
Other: Large Oval Punch, Jewels - Basic Pearls, Sponge Daubers, Scallop Border Punch & Crochet Thread
Big Shot: Petals-a-Plenty Embossing Folder

Hello Again!

Well, it's hello again!!  It's a busy day in the world of blogging, websites and newsletters.  But I wanted to show a quick project I completed today.  And when I say quick, I mean quick!!

I have updated my blog now with my favourite inspiration & challenge websites (look to the right hand side of this blog - you may have to scroll down).  I have a new favourite which I wanted to share!  Eat Drink Chic (don't you just love the name of it!!). 

Anyways, yesterday's post on Eat Drink Chic was DIY Wedding "Hanky" Love Letters.  And they are just gorgeous!!  These are a couple of the pics:

 

To see more of these gorgeous "Love Letters" by Amy Moss of Eat Drink Chic, click here to visit her blog.

And then I had a bit of a think, I have just bought a beautiful pink cyclamen for a dear friend of mine and made a thank you card to go with it.  To thank her for being my friend as well as all the help, presents and cuddles she's given since little Jessica arrived.  But the envelope was looking a bit plain, so I decided to gussy it up, "hanky" style!  I used the 'Hello Again' stamp set which featured in one of the SU Mini Catalogues and now it's come back in the BRAND NEW SU Idea Book & Catalogue.  Woohoo!!

 Much better don't you think!!  Here's what I used:

Stamps: Hello Again

Inks: YoYo Yellow, Pixie Pink, Green Galore, Brocade Blue & Ruby Red

Most of these inks are now retired but I haven't got all the new ones yet!!

In Colours Recruiting Promotion!

Free In Colors Promotion

Receive a FREE In Color bundle (valued at $84.90) when you join the Stampin’ Up! family as a Demonstrator during September 2010.  The In Color Bundle includes:

• In Color Classic Stampin’ Pads
• In Color Card Stock Assortment(A4)
• In Color Stampin’ Write Markers

Contact me today to learn more about starting your own Stampin’ Up! business.  Click here for further information or contact me.

The new SU Catalogue is here!

The new 2010-2011 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalogue is here!!

The 2010-2011 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalogue is here! Full of new stamps, new colours, new products, new everything!!

To view catalogue on line, click here

To get hold of your very own SU Idea Book & Catalogue, contact me now.
You won't be disappointed!

2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalogue Supplies List - click here
2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalogue Corrections & Write ins list - click here